Knockdown box



(No Model.) 2 sheetssheet 1.

H. T. BOULDEN.

KNOGKDOWN BOX.

No. 326,262. Patented'Sept. 15, 1885.

1N VEJV'TOR fizwmmmom .dt torney 2 Sheets-Shet 2'.

(No Model.)

H.T.BOULDEN.

KNOG-KDOWN BOX- No. 326,262. Patented Sept. 15, 1885.

z i iv I WITNESSES 6 W .dttorney N. PETERS, Photo-Lithographer, Washington D. C.

NITED STATES HOLMAN T. BOULDEN, on MILLERSBURG, KENTUCKY.

KNOCKDOWN BOX.

SPECIPICATIONformingpart of Letters Patent No. 326,262, dated September 15, 1885. Application filed April 2, 1885. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOLMAN T. BOULDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Millersburg, in the county of Bourbon and State of Kentucky, have invented-certain new and useful Improvements in Knockdown Boxes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

My invention relates to knockdown boxes; and it has for its object to so construct the box that it will be strong and practically rigid when adjusted for use, and yet may be adjusted into small space when being returned empty.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several parts forming the box, all of which will be described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my box adjusted for use and locked. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the box open. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the box knocked down, and Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the box when adjusted for use.

To the opposite side of the bottom piece, A, I fix rigidly the lower sections, 7), of the side pieces, to which are pivoted the upper sections, B, in the manner presently described. I fix these lower sections to the bottom, so they will serve to guide and brace the end pieces, and also give rigidity to theentire box by providing a rigid, firm bottom portion therefor.

Between the adjacent edges of the sections 13 b of the sides I arrange the longitudinal pintles O, which are embraced by hinge-straps D and cl on the upper and lower sections of the sides. I extend the straps D and d, usually made of hoop-iron, the full width of the sections 13 b, so as to strengthen such parts. By forming the hinge between parts B bin the manner described I secure a close joint the full length of such parts, both when the box is adjusted up or knocked down, as will be seen.

The end pieces, E, are hinged at their lower sides on their inner edges to the bottom piece, A. The straps e of this hinge on the end pieces are preferably of hoop-iron,and extend up over the upper edges of the end pieces and strengthen such parts. On these end pieces I arrange studs f in position to be engaged by hooks F on the side pieces by which the said end pieces are held up when the box is being filled, and such hooks also brace the sides against outward pressure. On one of the end pieces I mount a stud,G, having a head, 9, for

the purpose presently described.

The cover is made in two sections, h, hinged together. The section h is hinged at one edge to the upper edge of the section B of one of the sides. This hinge, as well as that between the cover-sections, is usually accomplished by means of the hoop iron straps by which the parts are bound.

To the outer edge of the cover I pivot sealstraps I, which fit over staples i on the adjacent side, and enable the locking of the box in the manner shown most clearly in Fig. 1.

The cover is provided with an opening, J, arranged to fit over the stud G, the head 9 of which projects above the cover, and is engaged by a latch-plate, K,Which is held to and movable on the cover. This latch-plate is provided with an opening fitted to slip over the head g, and having a wing of smaller dimension, which may be slipped under such head when desired to latch the cover on the box.

Brace-cleats L are secured on the inner faces of the bottom and side pieces in position to rest close to the outer side of the end pieces when such parts are adjusted into operative position.

By making the several parts of slats or other open frame-work the box may be used for shipping live poultry.

When the box has reached its destination and the contents have been removed, the end boards may be turned down against the bottom piece. The upper section of the front side piece is then turned down on the end pieces. The upper section of the other side piece and the inner section of the cover are now turned down and the outer section of the cover turned back,when the several parts will be as shown in Fig. 3, and will occupy but a small space, as will be understood.

The invention will be found useful in the furnishing of post-office supplies to the postoffices throughout the country; also, in the transportation of Government supplies to the cleats secured to the bottom and side pieces and resting flush with the outer sides of the end pieces when the box is adjusted for use. I5 substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

HOLMAN T. BOULDEN.

Witnesses:

It. B. BoULnnN, D. V. ROBERTSON. 

